Matt Finishes Clear on Walls

MATT JACKSON and Louise Webb celebrated success at the popular Essar Chester Round the Walls race.

Jackson, representing Liverpool Harriers, posted a winning time of 21 minutes 35 seconds after negotiating the multi-terrain 6km event hosted by West Cheshire Athletic Club, nearly one minute ahead of his nearest rivals.

And Webb, a member of Birmingham-based Birchfield Harriers, clocked 24:16 for victory in the women’s race, 39 seconds clear of second-placed Emily Kearney (Wirral AC), and Vale Royal AC’s Kate Titlow who was third in 25:20.

Jackson carved a decisive lead from the start of the race in front of the Chester racecourse grandstand and powered his way to the men’s title in the field of 493 finishers, ahead of runner-up, Leon Foster (Leeds City AC) in 22:43, and third-placed James Smith (Southampton AC) in 22:51.

The annual event attracted nearly 500 finishers, including six runners from America, one from Spain, one from Switzerland, and four finishers were competing on their birthday. Liverpool Harriers’ Andrew McQue was fourth in 23:05, ahead of Ian Wetherall, (Sale Harriers), who posted 23:08 for fifth spot, Ieuan Kearney (Wirral) in sixth place with 23:40, Helsby’s Colin Bishop, who was seventh in 23:43, Chester Tri’s Adrian Bellwood, eighth in 23:46, Wirral’s Arran Kearney, ninth in 23:50, and tenth-placed Simon Roberts in 23:53.

Deeside’s Ethan Ackroyd posted 24:32 for 20th position, just one place ahead of West Cheshire’s first three finishers Dan Mitchell in 24:41, Everest adventurer Alex Staniforth who clocked 24:56 for 28th spot, and Jac Goodall (29th in 25:11).